The fall in calves claimed underlines the importance of future scheme to sector.
The Scottish beef industry, with an estimated output of £706 million is a vital cornerstone of our rural economy. The SSBSS, worth £40 million, helps underpin Scotland’s iconic beef sector, supports farmers and crofters breeding beef calves from suckler cows, ensuring that herds remain at a level that sustains Scotland’s commercial beef industry. From that pot, £34 million is for eligible mainland calves and £6 million for Island calf claims.
For the 2023 scheme year, there was a worrying decrease in the total number of mainland and island businesses making a claim, down from 6499 to 6423, and a four per cent decrease in the total number of beef calves claimed, which was down from 379,740 to 366,371. With fewer animals claimed, that means a small increase in the payments per head, with mainland beef calves receiving £105.24 and Island calves receiving £151.24 per head.
NFU Scotland’s 2023 Intentions survey, carried out early in the year, had predicted a four per cent reduction in the Scottish suckler herd and anticipated that total calf claims made in the 2023 scheme year would be down.
NFU Scotland’s Vice President Andrew Connon said: “NFU Scotland welcomes the timely and prompt payments of the SSBSS this year. It is concerning to see a four per cent fall in animals claimed, which signifies that our iconic beef sector still faces ongoing uncertainty and vulnerability despite the very robust prices for store and prime cattle being seen just now.
“It is in the interests of our food and drink sector and our rural economy that farmers and crofters see a future in beef. It is clear that coupled support schemes such as SSBSS, which reward active farming and support our suckler beef herd, remain an anchor for farmers and crofters in these turbulent times.
“That is why we have welcomed the Scottish Government’s confirmation that SSBSS, a targeted support scheme, is to remain a key element of Scotland’s future agricultural support package from 2025 onwards. We look forward to Scottish Government bringing forward details on the new conditionality rules that will be attached to the scheme at the earliest opportunity as spring calving is already in full swing across Scotland.
“More than 50 per cent (39) of the decline in total number of businesses claiming (76) relates to the islands but the fall in calves claimed from the islands is 1,815 from a total of 13,369 – or about 13.6 per cent.
“That indicates that it is smaller suckler herds on the islands that are leaving the sector at the fastest rate, which underlines the need for effective, targeted coupled support and ongoing Less Favoured Areas support to underpin the socio-economic significance of suckler herds in more remote and fragile locations.
“It underlines NFU Scotland’s calls for frontloading payments to support smaller producers and the need to ensure the future SSBSS remains accessible and relevant to all beef producers, big and small.”
Notes for editors.
- The Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) year runs from 1 January to 31 December and claims can be made throughout the year. The payment is made on both male and female calves that are at least 75% beef bred and that have been born on a Scottish holding and kept there for 30 days (so the youngest calf for the scheme year is born on 1 December, a calf born 2 December is eligible in the next scheme year). The payment rate is set to match the number of eligible animals claimed in each year with different rates attached to mainland and island calves.
- Full details on the current scheme rules are at: https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/all-schemes/scottish-suckler-beef-support-scheme/scottish-suckler-beef-support-scheme-full-guidance/
- Details on changes to scheme rules for next year are expected soon.
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Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006